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Team tells state to share terror alerts


Directors and managers of shopping malls and other public facilities should be alerted as soon as the government receives warning of an impending attack.

This is one of the recommendations of the committee appointed to advise the government on the speedy recovery of Westgate shopping mall.

The Westgate Rapid Recovery Committee chaired by Governor Evans Kidero also urged the government to step up security to restore public confidence.

As regards terror attack preparedness, the team has advised Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo to review the force’s curriculum so that it can operate in an organised manner.

Suitable curriculum

“The IG should develop a suitable curriculum for training on emergency and security responses for public institutions, shopping malls and public-crowded facilities,” said Dr Kidero.

The government has been advised to compensate businesses that were affected following the September 21 terror attack or provide them with funds to enable them resume normalcy.

The committee of 20 on Monday handed over its report to Ministry of East Africa Community, Commerce and Tourism Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie.

“This is a report that should not be shelved but acted upon with immediacy to avoid perceptions that the committee was set up to hoodwink the public and the international community, ”said Dr Kidero.

The team was appointed in November last year to advise the government on the speedy recovery of Westgate mall.

“The committee’s task was not to conduct criminal investigations but to investigate, explore and make recommendations that would ensure rapid restoration of Westgate shopping mall,” the governor added.

Mrs Kandie said she would consult widely within government before commencement of implementation of the report.

She noted that while the recovery process may not be easy, it is a necessary one that calls for massive participation to succeed.

“The restoration of businesses at the mall and building of public confidence are critical for restoration of normalcy and growth in the retail sector,” she said.